Jasper Wiese hopes Springboks can showcase rugby to US fans in Baltimore

Springboks number eight Jasper Wiese says South Africa are determined to give American supporters a memorable introduction to rugby when they face the All Blacks in Baltimore on Saturday.

The match at M&T Bank Stadium is the final fixture in the Greatest Rivalry Series, with the Springboks leading 2-1. A win or draw would secure the series trophy for South Africa, while an All Blacks victory would result in the trophy being shared.

The encounter is also an opportunity to promote the sport in the United States, which will host the 2031 Rugby World Cup.

“We’ve only been here since Sunday afternoon, so we haven’t spent a lot of time outside the hotel, but it’s obviously an amazing experience,” said Wiese.

“It’s my first time here. Some people have recognised a few guys, but me not as much. But hopefully we can give the people here a good showcase this weekend and give them a taste of what rugby is about.

“The sport is obviously not as big here as it is in New Zealand or South Africa, but for the fans who are there this weekend, they’re going to see some great rugby from both teams who just want to go out there and give it their best.”

Wiese believes winning the series would provide another significant achievement for a group that already includes several Rugby World Cup and British & Irish Lions series winners.

“For this group, it would be something amazing to achieve – we’re taking this series just as seriously as we did the others,” said Wiese.

“The last time they toured in South Africa was in 1996, and the All Blacks won that one, so for this group to achieve a win would be something special.”

The Springboks’ preparations have been unaffected by the absence of injured All Blacks captain Ardie Savea, according to Wiese.

Savea began the series as New Zealand’s captain and remains a key player, but Wiese says the loose forwards available to replace him possess the experience and quality required for a major Test match.

“Ardie is obviously a massive player in their team and he was their captain at the start of the series, but I don’t think his absence changes our preparation,” he said.

“Their other loose forwards have a lot of experience and have played in big games as well, so we will show our opponents as much respect as possible. In big games all those guys step up.”

Saturday will also mark Wiese’s 49th Test appearance. Alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, he has set a new record for the most Test starts in a loose trio.

The 29-year-old said he had only learned about the record after the previous match and described the achievement as surreal, particularly because of his close relationship with Du Toit and Kolisi.

“It’s a massive privilege to play with guys like them, and I never take it for granted,” he said.

“I actually didn’t know about the record until we saw it after the game, but yes, it’s special. We’re great friends, and that makes it so much more amazing to have done something like that together, so I’m really privileged.”

The match in Baltimore kicks off at 23:00 South Africa time on Saturday.